The Nebraska Cornhuskers’ 40-16 stumble against the Iowa Hawkeyes came with added pain. Quarterback TJ Lateef slipped into the injury report. But Nebraska finally caught a lucky bounce as Lateef is now cleared to play. His return couldn’t be better timed with the Las Vegas Bowl on deck.

“WATCH: TJ Lateef slinging it at Nebraska’s practice today,” reported Huskers’ insider Chase Matteson on December 27th, sharing a clip from Nebraska’s practice. “The #Huskers starting QB is coming off of a hamstring injury but is full go for the Las Vegas Bowl.”

Midway through the first quarter of the Iowa game, Lateef scrambled right and paid the price as a Hawkeyes defender pulled him down. Matt Rhule’s quarterback ended up tweaking his hamstring in the process. A short visit to the injury tent later, he re-emerged with a brace on his left leg and finished out the first half.

Lateef arrived on campus as a true freshman and wasted no time, winning the backup quarterback role with a big spring showing. He sparked early buzz with sharp outings versus Akron and Houston Christian before getting the call when Dylan Raiola was injured in the USC Trojans matchup.

“ (TJ) had a reps cap on him yesterday, but took every rep today,” Rhule sounded confident about the quarterback’s recovery. “We have been cautious with him because we want to get him to the game. He looks fast, like he can run the football. The entire offense is up (with) him, so we will run him, move him around and play.”

Four days out from the New Year’s Eve clash under the lights at Allegiant Stadium, Nebraska has Lateef exactly where it wants him, right on schedule.

Lateef’s first career start came with a smile at UCLA, as Nebraska edged the Bruins 28-21. But the next two outings were a different story. 

Against Penn State and Iowa, Lateef hit turbulence as the passing game flatlined. Lateef combined to go 30-of-61 for 256 yards, added a lone rushing touchdown, and watched the Huskers scrape together just 26 points.

While Lateef has the green light, Rhule is still shopping for a starting quarterback. The calculus is simple but risky. Is the incoming option better than Lateef’s 2026 version? And is that difference worth potentially triggering a portal exit?

“I’m not worried about it, and if that happens, that’s fine with me,” Lateef made his feelings clear in an interview on December 19. “I like to compete regardless.”

Looks like Rhule is already ready with the shortlist.

“Sources have linked Aidan Chiles to Cincinnati and Nebraska,” On3 reported on December 20. “The Cornhuskers are not only looking at one quarterback. Sources have said Matt Rhule is evaluating the entire quarterback field in the portal, and that could include Boston College’s Dylan Lonergan and Notre Dame’s Kenny Minchey, among others.”

Sidelining the quarterback conversation for a bit, what does the Utah Utes have in store for Rhule’s squad in the Las Vegas Bowl?

How the luck flipped for Matt Rhule’s Nebraska

Apparently, Utah rolls into Las Vegas red-hot. The Utes finished No. 15 in the final CFP rankings and bring a five-game heater to Allegiant Stadium. Rhule’s squad, meanwhile, arrives trending the opposite way. Losers of two straight and three of its last four after a promising 6-2 start.

At 10-2, Utah looked like a steep climb for Nebraska. Firstly, because their true freshman, Lateef is making just his fourth start. Secondly, Nebraska will be without junior running back Emmett Johnson, who declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. 

Still, Utah’s own opt-outs may crack the door open for Rhule and Co. to make a move. They will be shorthanded up front, with both starting offensive tackles opting out of the Las Vegas Bowl. Right tackle Spencer Fano and left tackle Caleb Lomu have declared for the NFL Draft.

Top Stories

Chaotic Brawl Breaks Out at Tulsa Shootout After Teen Flips Off Rival Driver

Why Does Troy Aikman Wear a Ring on His Middle Finger? All You Need to Know

LIV Golf Braces for Another Possible Exit in Wake of Brooks Koepka Departure

Kyrie Irving Breaks Silence After Injury Return Update Emerges

Where Is Reina Tellez From? Nationality, Ethnicity, and Religion of Amanda Serrano’s Opponent

Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones Sharply Criticizes Matt Eberflus After Coach’s Concerning Admission

Their longtime head coach, Kyle Whittingham, bolting to Ann Arbor might come off as some added burden for the Utes. And they were not ready for it, as initially, Whittingham was supposed to be there until the Bowl game. He coached the Utes for the last 21 years, so that void would take time to replace.

Even with overlapping stops and shared Under Armour connections, Rhule revealed he never met Whittingham throughout their coaching journeys. So, he was looking forward to it.

But deep within, Rhule might be feeling confident about TJ Lateef’s return and Utah entering the bowl fractured after Whittingham’s departure.